Blog

  1. Mosquitoes? Give this a try

    Mosquitoes are always a problem around here, but spraying all the time for them just isn't practical. Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) can be an effective way to help with them.When mosquito larvae eat Bti it disrupts their digestive process killing them before they can mature! We put a small piece of a mosquito dunk into a bucket of water out in the yard. It's been a couple of weeks and…Read More

  2. Large roaches

    Did you know that around here, every roach other than German roaches, come in from the outside and don't infest the home? The old saying that if you see one roach in the house, there are a hundred in the wall doesn't really apply. You's have to have a major plumbing leak or really high levels of humidity in your home to create an environment where they could set up shop. Some things you can do to …Read More

  3. Kissing bugs

    Kissing bugs require a blood meal and can carry Chagas disease. They are not very common though and are often misidentified. Boxedler bugs in particular tend to get be mistaken for kissing bugs. General IPM practices should be used to help keep them out of the house, the same as any other bug. They can fly so there really isn't any specific treatment done for them.  Although Chagas disease can be…Read More

  4. Rodents!

    We use Contrac Blox because it always works, unlike trapping, and is very inexpensive compared to trapping. Trapping requires multiple visits and may not achieve 100% eradication, especially when large numbers of rodents are present. Contrac Blox has a low chance of primary & secondary poisoning. Rodents do not have to eat much of the bait and then it is passed quickly through their system. Th…Read More

  5. House Geckos

    House geckos are often found in the yard or on the home. They are beneficial because they eat pests, including cockroaches. Most people don't mind having them on the home but do not like it when they find one inside. The best way to keep them out is to seal cracks around windows/doors with caulk and handle other potential entry points. These reptiles lay eggs and lose their tail as a defense mecha…Read More

  6. Cicada Killer Wasps

    These solitary wasps are around 2” long and which makes them the largest wasp. They are usually yellow and black and hunt cicadas to eat, hence the name. Males cannot sting but will use intimidation to defend their nests. Females can sting but rarely do. They dig a nest about a foot down into the ground where they store paralyzed adult cicadas. Eggs are laid on the cicadas and when they hatch la…Read More

  7. Honey Bee Swarms

    April & May are when you are most likely to have a honey bee swarm show up on your home or tree or any place that can provide a little bit of shelter for them. When a a colony gets to be too large, a queen and many workers will fly off to find a new spot to set up a hive. Most of the time they are just passing through. If a hive is stopped for a day or more it may be a good idea to have a bee …Read More

  8. Texas Giant Centipede

    Texas Giant Centipedes are very startling. They can grow up to 12" long and are usually blueish green with a red head and bright yellow legs.  They can inflict a painful bite,similar to a wasp sting, when handled but are not life threatening. They are usually found under rocks or boards outside but can occasionally enter homes when the weather cools. These centipedes are not seen frequently but i…Read More

  9. Scorpion Stings

    The sting from the scorpions found in Central Texas can be painful but are usually not dangerous, as long as you are not allergic. If you get stung, first put an ice cube on the sting for the pain. If you have some digestive enzymes for protein (you can try meat tenderizer) you can make a paste with it and put it on the sting. This will digest the sting and can eliminate the pain and can work on w…Read More

  10. June Bugs Are Here

    You may be seeing the return of the June bugs around your home. Of course they arrive early here and could be called April bugs. These are a seasonal pest that are a nuisance but do not cause problems. General pest treatments can kill the ones that approach your home but they will keep coming, so a service specifically for them is unnecessary. They are attracted to light so limiting outdoor lighti…Read More